The Spectator's Guide to the Long Beach Marathon

By Go City Expert

The hours are ticking down to the 28th annual Long Beach International City Bank Marathon, which will take over the city on Sunday, October 7th. One of the most scenic and flat courses in America, the Long Beach Marathon draws tens of thousands of athletes and spectators each year. The course meanders through quaint seaside communities and urban landmarks, offering ocean views throughout 80% of the route. Although 23,000 athletes are expected to take part in the five events offered, only about 5,000 will be running the full marathon, making it a somewhat intimate event. Moreover, the certified marathon course is the perfect qualifier for other popular races, even the notorious Boston Marathon. As a spectator, you’ll appreciate Long Beach’s moderate Mediterranean climate and the spectacular views of the ocean and the cityscape along the race course. So whether you're a runner yourself, or just someone who loves excitement and good cheer, viewing the Long Beach Marathon is one of the truly unique things to do in Los Angeles. To make the most of your marathon experience, check out the guide below.

Events

Five separate athletic events will take place over the race weekend: the Marathon, Half-Marathon, 26.2 Mile Bike Tour, Run Forest Run 5k, and the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids Fun Run. The Kids Fun Run will take place on Saturday, October 6th, while all the other events will be held on the official race day (Sunday). The race day events will kick-off with the Bike Tour at 6 AM, followed by the Marathon and Half Marathon at 7AM and finally the Run Forest Run 5k at 8:30 AM. Fore more information on start times and specific waves, visit the Marathon’s official website. The Health & Fitness expo draws nearly 50,000 visitors each year, and is the perfect prelude to the race. A surplus of vendors and exhibitors will be on display, selling official Long Beach Marathon merchandise, including top-of-the-line performance gear, running caps, visors, headbands, and much more. The Finish Line Festival on Marina Green is THE place to be as exhausted runners cross the finish line. Celebrate with the athletes and enjoy a wide variety of vendors as well as a Beer Garden for those of age.

Best Viewing Areas

 The Long Beach Marathon boasts one of the most beautiful courses in the country.

    • Start/Finish Line – As this is a loop course, you can catch the start and the end of the race without moving a muscle. You’ll also be able to enjoy the food, drinks, and other entertainment as the first runners cross the line. Situate yourself on Shoreline Drive between Linden and Pine.
    • Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool (Mile 9) – Catch the runners here as they get into their groove. There’s a huge grass area to sit on while you wait for the runners.
    • Colorado Lagoon (miles 14 and 22.5) – This is an ideal spot because you can catch the runners in two places, just by taking a quick walk along the grassy Lagoon.
    • Cal State University (Mile 17-20) – If you want to be there for the runners as they “hit the wall,” find yourself a viewing spot by the California State Academy.
    • Ocean Avenue between Livingston and Alamitos (Mile 24-26) – Cheer the runners on as they race to the finish on Ocean Avenue. You’ll also be able to catch the end of the half marathon from this spot.

Accommodations

Finding inexpensive accommodations on marathon weekend can be tricky. However, these hotels offer reasonable prices and still currently have vacancy. Best Western Golden Sails Hotel 6285 E Pacific Coast Highway Long Beach, California, 90803-4803 Phone: (562) 596-1631 Holiday Inn Downtown 1133 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, California 90813 Phone: (562) 590-8858

Parking

By far the most convenient place to park on race day is in the Convention Center/Arena/Terrace Theater parking lots. Although there is a $10 charge for parking, you will be located adjacent to the Long Beach Arena and will be within walking distance of the official start/finish line.

Make Your Way Around LA

While in Greater Los Angeles for the race day festivities, why not see what else the area has to offer? Spend the day before the marathon taking advantage of our Go Los Angeles Card including access to over 39 attractions for one low price. Some of the most popular attractions include the Warner Brothers Studio Tour, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, and Knotts Berry Farm—to name a few.

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Best Museums in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the best. Known for its many famous landmarks and sun-kissed shorelines, the city is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the United States. Still, no visit to La La Land is complete without checking out its fantastic selection of museums. Yup, that’s right - contrary to what some might say, Los Angeles is teeming with wonderful cultural amenities of all kinds. From ancient history to modern art, there’s a little something for everybody here. So, if you’re heading over to the City of Angels and aren’t quite sure how to spend your time, check out our guide to the best museums in the area. However you choose to explore LA, we’re sure you’ll have a blast! See the Sights If you’re a seasoned visitor to Los Angeles, you just might be familiar with the Hollywood Sign and Universal Studios. Still, there’s a lot more to unpack here for cinephiles and pop culture lovers. If you’re looking to learn more about Hollywood history, there’s no better place to be than the Academic Museum of Motion Pictures. Located on the Museum Row in Miracle Mile, this unique attraction is dedicated to the fascinating history and incredible impact of the film industry. The institute works to provide deeper insight into the creative process; the art and technology of film; and the fascinating background of the artform. Though young, the museum holds over 13 million objects, including costumes, sketches, film reels, props and more. A thoroughly fascinating cultural experience, this spot is great for those of all ages. When you hear L.A., the first thing that springs to mind is usually all of the glitz and glam. So it only makes sense then that the city provides a number of great cultural institutions dedicated to the entertainment industry. Standing out against the number of museums dedicated to television and film, the Grammy Museum works to provide a comprehensive look into the music business. A total dream space for music buffs, this spot consists of four floors worth of historical artefacts, interactive music stations and recording booths. In addition, the museum hosts special talks, programs and concerts. We love this place because it works to educate visitors about the history and significance of American music in a fun and engaging way. Another one of our favorite museums to visit in L.A. has got to be The Broad. As one of the most famous art museums in the city, the institute is probably just as recognizable for its distinct and striking structure as it is for its revered collection.Inside, visitors can enjoy a fantastic collection from some of the world’s most popular modern artists. Highlights include Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog and Roy Lichtenstein’s ‘’I... I’m Sorry!’’ In addition, the museum is known for housing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, an animated twinkling starfield and total magnet for selfie-lovers. Get Cultured If you’re looking for art and culture in Los Angeles, you won’t have to look much further than the Getty Center. A wonderful estate perched atop a hill in Brentwood, the center provides art, architecture and nature all wrapped into one wonderfully unique experience. The circular concrete and steel structure is a total sight to behold, whilst the museum’s location and surrounding gardens provide spectacular 360-degree views of Los Angeles. Inside, visitors can enjoy a wonderful mixture of ancient and modern art. Expect to see everything from classical paintings and historic carvings to surrealist works and contemporary installations. We recommend setting aside a good few hours for the Getty - trust us when we say that you won’t want to rush this one! As the West Coast’s answer to the Morgan Library, the Huntington Library definitely doesn’t disappoint. This spot is actually a triple whammy, with a world-class library, wonderful art museum and stunning botanical garden all wrapped up into one fantastic attraction. We suggest making enough time so that you can see everything. With over 430,000 rare books, historical documents and one-of-a-kind manuscripts, the library is a total dream for bibliophiles. Meanwhile, the art gallery displays one of the best collections of 18th and 19-century British art in the country. And as the museum’s crown jewel, the institute’s botanical garden most certainly doesn’t disappoint, with over 150,000 plant varieties on its 120 acres. With its superb repository and old-world vibe, this spot is perfect for anybody who wants to get in a bit of education on their travels. Learn Something New No doubt Los Angeles has a lot of great museums dedicated to the arts. Still, that’s not all there is to see here. Perfect for those visitors of a curious mind, the California Science Center is filled with educational and engaging exhibits pertaining to the world around us. Billed as the west coast’s largest hands-on science center, this spot works well to break down complicated ideas for a broad audience. There are four major exhibit areas covering the natural world, biology, innovation and invention and space travel. Special highlights include the Space Shuttle Endeavor, the High Wire Bicycle, and the ice wall. We love this spot because it’s impossible to leave without having learned something new. Whilst museums come in all shapes and sizes, few are quite as iconic as the Natural History Museum. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just plain curious, this spot has so much to offer. The institute’s repository is wildly impressive, with over 35 million specimens and artefacts spanning over 4.5 billion years of history. Marvel at the full-size t-rex skeletons, see some incredible gemstones, or play with microscopes and dig for fossils in the Discovery Center. Pro tip: if you’re in the area during the springtime, be sure to check out the butterfly pavilion. Though the bones are old, this spot is always introducing new exhibits to be enjoyed. A real treasure trove of discovery, you know know what you’ll find next among the beautiful dioramas and interactive displays. The best vacations always include a trip to the museum - and thankfully in Los Angeles, you won’t be short of choice! Explore the city to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
Rainbow-colored lifeguard station on Venice Beach during LA Pride
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Things to do in Los Angeles for Pride Day

Los Angeles is an integral part of the Pride origin story. For it was here in 1970, around a year after the riots at New York’s Stonewall Inn (and three after police raids at LA gay bars the Black Cat Tavern and New Faces) that one of the world’s very first Pride marches took place, alongside similar events in Chicago, San Francisco and the Big Apple itself. More than half a century later, LA Pride is a much-loved feature of the festival calendar: a vibrant, love-soaked celebration of diversity and inclusion that has the whole city partying for weeks on end. Better still, LA now has not one but TWO inclusive festivals running every June, since the welcome addition of WeHo Pride in 2022. WeHo is based out of LA Pride’s former location in and around West Hollywood Park, while LA Pride has moved back to the OG 1970s location in Hollywood proper. Still with us? If not, all you need remember is that it’s twice the fun it was previously! Rea don as we break down the deets (as chronologically as possible!) with all the essential events from LA's Pride festival season... Harvey Milk Day WeHo traditionally kicks off proceedings with an all-singing, all-dancing drag extravaganza on Harvey Milk Day, May 22. The annual José Sarria Drag Pageant is named after the first openly gay person to run for office in the United States, aka the drag performer Widow Norton. Expect dizzyingly high camp and a celebratory atmosphere. In a nod to Harvey, who later became the first openly gay elected official in California, milk and cookies are provided. The event is free, but you’d be well advised to reserve your spot online.  Date: May 22. More info here. Venice Pride Block Party The annual Venice Pride Block Party promises live DJs, a queer market, drag performers (of course), a whole host of enticing food trucks, and a few surprises to boot! And all this just inches from the beach. Way to get the party started.  Date: usually the Friday of WeHo weekend. More info here.  Outloud One of the major success stories of the breakout WeHo Pride celebration, Outloud is a three-day extravaganza of live music at West Hollywood Park. The Friday night opening party is free (but spots must be booked), while Saturday and Sunday are ticketed, with passes available for one or both days. We’re talking some major names, too: acts to appear in the first few years alone include Kylie, Kesha, Janelle Monáe, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Grace Jones. Date: first weekend of June. More info and tickets here. WeHo Pride Street Fair  WeHo Pride’s free street party is quite the amuse bouche ahead of the following weekend’s main event, featuring two days of performances – DJ’s, drag acts, fashion parades, mariachi and country bands, and more – across its Rainbow and Celebration stages at Santa Monica Boulevard. The annual Dyke March also kicks off from here on the Saturday afternoon. Date: first weekend of June. More info here. WeHo Pride March The WeHo Pride celebrations culminate with a march through West Hollywood, a river of flamboyant floats and colorful costumes that flows from N. Crescent Heights Boulevard, west along Santa Monica Boulevard to N. San Vicente Boulevard in Hollywood’s iconic Rainbow District. The parade kicks off around noon, and crowns a ‘Parade lifetime ally icon’ each year, with Cyndi Lauper becoming the inaugural holder of the title in 2024. Date: first Sunday of June. More info here. An Evening Among The Roses Soirees don’t come much swankier than The Huntington’s annual garden party celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and its stellar contribution to the museum and its work. Expect string quartets, specialty cocktails, decadent hors d’oeuvres, and slow-dancing in the beautiful rose garden. Tickets start at upwards of $100 for general admission with VIP entry and other increasingly pricey ticket bundles also available. Dress to impress! Date: first or second Friday in June. More info and tickets here. LA Pride in the Park Since returning to its Hollywood Boulevard roots in 2022, the original LA Pride has held its accompanying music festival further east still, in the LA State Historic Park. It’s a big ‘un, too: previous headliners to have filled the 80-foot stage include Megan Thee Stallion, Ricky Martin and Miss Mariah Carey herself! Add some 20 acres of activities, bars, food vendors, a ‘sober garden’ for natural highs, and an X-rated ‘erotic city’ and a good time is more or less guaranteed. Date: second Saturday of June. More info and tickets here. LA Pride Parade No shrinking violet, the epic LA Pride Parade kicks off on Highland Avenue at 11AM, painting a rainbow right across Hollywood Boulevard and down Cahuenga Boulevard. The pot of gold at the end? The LA Pride Block Party, a free all-day street party with live entertainment, drag acts galore, and more food trucks and beer gardens than you can shake a very large stick at. The best spots for ogling the parade’s fantastical floats and outlandish costumes are along the middle of Hollywood Blvd, or opposite the ABC7 broadcast area on Highland. Keep your peepers peeled for the grand marshals; previous incumbents include Harvey Milk, Paris Hilton, Demi Lovato and George Takei.  Date: second Sunday of June. More info here. Pride is Universal Ever wanted to experience LA’s Universal Studios after hours? Now’s your chance! The annual Pride is Universal event sees doors open to ticket holders as early as 2PM (VIPs) and 4PM (general admission). So far so normal. But when doors close to the general public at 9PM, you get to stick around! Pride gets the party started with multiple DJ sets and dance zones across the park, with the music continuing until 2AM. Better yet, most of the rides, attractions and restaurants stay open too, but without the long lines! Magical. Date: varies, but usually the weekend after LA Pride. More info and tickets here. Save on LA’s Most Popular Attractions Hey, you could always check out some of LA’s best tours, activities and attractions while you’re in town. Buy an attraction pass from Go City and you could save up to 50% on regular prices at nearly 50 attractions, including: Universal Studios Hollywood Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour Madame Tussauds Hollywood La Brea Tar Pits The Natural History Museum … and more! Find out more and bag your Los Angeles attraction pass here.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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Los Angeles in October

Fall in Los Angeles is a wonderful time of the year. As the heat winds down, the fun really kicks off during October with a myriad of cool and interesting things to do. Whether you’re an art lover, a thrill-seeker, or a nature enthusiast, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes. And of course, since this is October after all, the city comes to life with lots of fun seasonal activities and pop-up events. From spooktastic Halloween events at Disneyland to unique Oktoberfest events, there should be more than enough to keep you busy. This is also an especially good time of the year to visit L.A. since there should be cooler weather, smaller crowds, and a better chance of finding great deals on accommodation and travel. So, if you’re thinking about making the trip, have a read through our list of some of the best things to do in the city during this time of the year. We promise that you won’t be disappointed! Find Fun Activities Los Angeles is home to some of the best theme parks on the planet, but of course, none of them quite stand out like Disneyland! Since opening way back in 1955, this place has become one of the most visited theme parks in the world - and it’s easy to see why! A classic all-American vacation spot, Disneyland is home to some of the most iconic rides, including It’s a Small World, Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. Within the park there are over 30 rides, so you know that there’s always something to choose from. October is a great time to visit since the weather will be temperate and dry. During this time of the year, the park also hosts some fantastic seasonal events, including the Oogie Boogie Bash and Halloween Screams. Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, this quintessential L.A. attraction is sure to leave you with a huge smile stretched across your face. Of course, it just wouldn’t be an article about things to do in October without mentioning Oktoberfest. In a sprawling city like Los Angeles, there are a lot of ways to celebrate this traditional Bavarian holiday - all you have to do is pick your favorite! If your ideal Oktoberfest involves kicking back with a beer on the beach (and let’s face it, why wouldn’t it be?), then the Old World Oktoberfest might just be your jam. Billed as ‘’Orange County’s Biggest Party since 1977’’, this event really hits the spot. Or, if you love the idea of bratwurst but have devoted yourself to clean living, why not check out the Vegan Oktoberfest? Complete with vegan breweries and plant-based vendors, this spot is perfect for all cruelty-free visitors. For something a little bit different, check out the San Gabriel Dumpling and Beer Fest. However you choose to enjoy Oktoberfest in L.A., we’re sure you’ll have a blast! Learn Something New Those looking for history and culture in Los Angeles won’t have to search very far. Though there are countless great cultural amenities to choose from whilst visiting L.A., we particularly love the Huntington Library for its world-class repository. Combining art, history and nature all in one, this beloved tourist attraction is well-recognized for its all-encompassing collection. A total dream for all bibliophiles, the institute’s library houses more than 430,000 rare books, original manuscripts and historic documents. Meanwhile, its art gallery houses one of the best collections of British art in the United States. Still, perhaps the institute’s main draw is its botanical garden, which is home to over 150 plant varieties on its 150 acres. There’s a whole to lot see and do here, so we recommend setting aside a good amount of time aside for your visit to ensure that you don’t miss a single thing! As the epicenter of the United States’ entertainment industry, Los Angeles is a fantastic visitor destination for pop culture lovers and creative types alike. There are countless museums and cultural institutions to choose from, though we particularly love the Grammy Museum. Standing out from all the other institutes in Los Angeles, this unique speciality institute provides a fun and fascinating look into the history and significance of American music. Though young, the museum’s collection is impressive, with historical instruments, iconic costumes, awards, and much more. There are interactive instrument stations and recording booths to enhance the experience. The institute’s 200-seat theater also hosts live events including performances, screenings and lectures. Working to honor a long history of innovation and creative thought, this spot is perfect for all music lovers. Get in Touch With Nature Seated along the western coastline, Los Angeles is well-recognized for its beautiful natural attributes. If you’re looking to take in some of the area’s most wonderful greenery, we recommend Descanso Gardens. Just a short trip from downtown, this lush forested area offers a much-needed respite from the bustling city. Over its vast 150 acres, visitors can enjoy an extraordinary living repository. The site is home to a fantastic collection of exotic and native flora - there are magnificent oak woodlands, a wide collection of fruit trees, and the largest concentration of camellia plants in the Western Hemisphere. This spot isn’t too difficult to walk through - overall, it should take about an hour explore the full space. Still, we recommend wearing your comfiest shoes and bringing plenty of water with you to stay comfortable. A treasure trove of natural beauty, this spot is a total must-see. With its soft breezes and cooler temperatures, Los Angeles is a pleasure to explore in autumntime! Whatever Tinseltown lacks for in foliage, the city more than makes up for with exciting events and activities of all kinds. From kicking back with a nice cold one at Oktoberfest to ambling through the beautiful Descanso Gardens, the City of Angels never falls short. Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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